Ben Cousins Charged With Drug Possession, Breach Of VRO

Fallen former AFL champion Ben Cousins has been released on bail but warned by a magistrate that he will be arrested and locked up if he breaches any conditions placed.

The 38-year-old's long list of drug-related incidents, going back a decade, received another entry when he was arrested outside what is understood to be the home of his former partner and two children.

The Brownlow Medallist and former captain of the West Coast Eagles was charged with breaching a violence restraining order and possessing methamphetamine.

No one had put up a surety for Cousins, his lawyer Damien Cripps told the Armadale Magistrates Court.

At past court appearances family members including his father and former VFL footballer Bryan Cousins have provided surety to keep him out of jail, but they were not present on Tuesday.

Cousins looked dishevelled, fidgety and agitated in court, wearing tracksuit pants and a windcheater, after spending a night in a cell.

He asked magistrate Sandra De Maio about whether he would be able to see his children, aged three and five, when the VRO prevented him going within 50 metres of his former spouse and her home.

"I have just been seeing them in the front yard or in the street," he said.

A parenting plan had also been drafted, he said.

She agreed to relax the VRO conditions after reading an email sent to her about the matter, saying he could communicate with the children's mother via text message but only about parenting issues.

"If you breach any of your bail conditions you will be arrested," Ms De Maio said.

Despite his predicament, Mr Cripps said Cousins had told him he was "in a very good place".

However, Ms De Maio said it appeared to be a difficult time for him.

He will appear in Armadale Magistrates Court again on November 22.

Cousins, who has a history of drug abuse, was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute.

Since then, his troubles have continued under the glare of the public, most recently in June when he was reportedly treated in hospital after standing in the middle of Canning Highway in Como directing traffic.